Six months later.

In Dean Tongus’s residence, Locke, Patty Aisa, and Kode Newman sat together, studying.

Due to Aurelian Academy’s limited magical teaching resources, Tongus alone taught all their courses, despite their differences.

Locke couldn’t complain; his courses were discounted, requiring only ten magic stones instead of over a hundred.

The teaching quality had minor flaws, but it was acceptable.

Locke had grown close to Patty and Kode.

Both were commoner students with wizard talent: Patty had Level 2 talent, Kode Level 1.

Kode, a red-haired, freckled, reserved boy, seemed unapproachable but was merely shy.

Locke broke the ice with him in a day, becoming friends.

Kode’s background was simple, his parents serfs under a viscount in the Aaron Kingdom. His learning talent caught the viscount’s eye, leading to exams and tutors, landing him at Aurelian.

His strong learning ability stemmed from his wizard talent, albeit the lowest grade.

Kode said he saw very few elemental dots after drinking the Emerald Element Potion.

Patty, outwardly cold but kind-hearted, had helped Locke six months ago when he sought her aid.

The trio, now close, formed a small clique in other students’ eyes.

During a mana control lesson, Kode asked Locke a question. After Locke’s answer, Kode said admiringly, “Locke, you’re so smart.”

“I studied for over two years, but you caught up and surpassed me quickly.”

Patty also looked impressed.

Both, being studious commoners, admired academic excellence.

Locke nodded slightly, twirling the Deep Blue Jade ring on his thumb.

In three months, he matched Patty and Kode’s progress; in another three, he surpassed them.

Several factors explained this.

First, Locke’s Level 3 wizard talent, lower-middle tier, outstripped Kode’s and Patty’s, making his base learning speed three to four times Kode’s.

The gap would only widen, like a snowball rolling downhill. Early on, lower-talent prospects could keep up with effort, but the divide grew over time.

This showed why wizards valued talent so highly.

But there was a second reason.

Locke glanced at his thumb. Six months ago, he discovered synthesizing Level 3 sapphires into a Level 4 [Deep Blue Jade].

He had it crafted into a ring, finding that its mental stabilization effect calmed his mood, doubled his focus time, and boosted his learning speed.

This allowed him to catch up to Patty and Kode so quickly.

However, the Deep Blue Jade was consumable, lasting only about two weeks.

Thus, he needed to keep synthesizing Level 4 sapphires.

He tried synthesizing other items, but Level 4 versions only became more exquisite and valuable, with no special effects.

This made him wealthy in mundane terms.

Yet, for his wizard path, only one useful synthesis recipe existed: three Level 3 sapphires into a Deep Blue Jade.

Locke wasn’t rushed. His exposure to the wizarding world was limited, and Corfu’s low-magic setting restricted resources. In the true wizarding world, he’d find more useful recipes.

The Horadric Cube ensured he’d never lack resources, like the Deep Blue Jade boosting his studies.

In Tongus’s residence, Patty said to Locke, “By the way, you probably don’t know, but Angel, who kept pestering you, died.”

“Over five months ago.”

Locke paused, engrossed in studies recently, momentarily forgetting Angel. Then he recalled the girl, like him, ensnared by Professor Alder six months ago.

Locke nodded. “I warned her.”

“She didn’t listen.”

Patty said, “Alder’s been getting worse. Those who died were noble heirs. Isn’t he afraid of trouble?”

“Tongus said he’s a second-class wizard apprentice, 150 years old, at his lifespan’s limit.”

“He’s using magic to borrow lifespan from regular students.”

Kode, face flushed, said, “I don’t like this.”

“How can he? Many didn’t know and lost their lifespan.”

Locke nodded. “Focus on our studies. The academy will handle Alder.”

Alder, nearing death, was on the edge of madness. Locke wouldn’t meddle.

Patty suddenly asked, “Do you think we’ll become like Alder one day? The person we despised?”

Kode opened his mouth, hesitant, picturing Alder’s growing insanity and fearing he might end up the same.

Patty laughed. “I’m kidding.”

“Why so serious?”

Kode was shaken, but she laughed. “We’re young. Lifespan worries are far off.”

Locke glanced at her, recalling Tongus saying Alder’s wizard talent was Level 2, one below Locke’s, equal to Patty’s, and above Kode’s.

Looking at his textbook, Locke reflected. After six months of focused study, he’d built a solid magical foundation, far from his starting point.

“I can start cultivating magical vines.”

“Grow them, modify them with spells to resonate with my mana, and gradually master my first trick spell model—Vine Hand.”

“But Corfu lacks magical vine seeds. I’ll need to buy them from Tongus. Since Vine Hand is one of five trick models for Corfu natives, he must have the seeds.”

Per the academy’s tone, the seeds wouldn’t be free.

He’d likely owe more magic stones.